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Chrispy92 — Avatar 2: Colonies: Chapter 3
Published: 2010-07-21 03:54:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 2400; Favourites: 6; Downloads: 5
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Meeting"Who's 'Him'?" smirked Jake.
"You're the guy who uh... went native...or went to the other side or some shit... Jake Sully!" Alex blurted out.
"That's right." he smiled. "And you might as well add the guy who kicked you RDA humans off this land." His smile might look warm. But it wasn't.
"Wait a minute, but aren't YOU human as well, and NOT a Na'vi?" frowned Noh through his shiner.
Jake gave him a cold stare. "Once maybe... but not anymore."
Noh cocked his eye muttering something that to Alex sounded a lot like: "Sure then, 'Dances with Wolves'..."
Jake seemed to exude dominance over the two humans brought before him. "In any case, let me ask the questions and you answer them. Starting with how the hell you are breathing in Pandoran air? Humans die from breathing it."
Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Gene Modding." He said.
"Gene Modding?"
"Gene Modding. We all had to get spliced in a minor way... with Na'vi genes. Now we can breathe the air around here without masks... It also gives us extra resistance to uh... electromagnetic radiation... and extra bone and muscle density for the low gravity."
Jake eyed the two of them. So the RDA had found a way to adapt to life here. Interesting, but chances are that they'll just fuck this world up like Earth.
"Alright then... next question then. How did you get here? It's only been what, six years since you all left, and now you're back? Last I heard it took that long just to get here."
Noh shrugged "Faster than Light." He said simply.
"You're kidding me."
"They just created this weird little element with Unobtainium called Eezo. I don't know the details, I'm not a physicist, but it can reduce or increase the mass of an object... in this case a starship... to practically nothing, and send it beyond the speed of light with negligible time warping effects." He gave a small smile. "A journey that once took six years now takes just under two months."
This gave Jake a serious pause for thought. The huge distance from Earth to Pandora was one of the main reasons that the humans couldn't colonize, or send materials or exploit Pandora very quickly. It was similar to what the British or the Spanish encountered when their colonies revolted in America. But with the gap was shrinking... that could mean a whole raft of problems coming up ahead.
"Last question. And this is the important one. Why are you here?"
Noh and Alex knew that this question could very well kill the two of them. Noh approached it with care.
"We came to build a new life... and live in peace... and, uh..."
"Don't tell me." Jake interrupted. His voice filled with a cold fire. "You came here to start up an honest-to-god colony on Pandora, aren't you?" His gaze seemed to be made out of white hot steel. "You're thinking that, maybe, you can come here and take what you want. That maybe, the land of Pandora is one great, big smorgasbord, huh? That maybe, you can just kill off, or even enslave the uncivilised savages that live here, just like in America or Africa?" He crouched down to the human's level, and pressed his face at them. When he was standing up, Jake looked intimidating. At their level, Jake was terrifying. "Not on my fucking watch."
He got up and said "Tell your bosses and your friends, that they should get the hell off this land now. That they should just go home, and never come back here."
What he didn't expect was for Alex to suddenly say, in a very cool voice, right in his face: "No I will not sir."
Jake turned his head to him. "Excuse me?"
"We're here because we have nowhere else to go."
Alex stood up. He decided to make this 'speech' or whatever it could be called, which was only half formed in his mind and without any planning whatsoever. Because when you've already decided to jump off a cliff to escape the hungry wolves, the only thing that you can really do then, is to press for the abolition of gravity.
"When I was a young, living in the city, my life was shit." He began, looking Jake directly in the eye, but raising his voice loudly enough so that everyone else gathered around could hear him. "I had to wear a gas mask whenever I went outside because the air was utterly corrupted. You had to step over the poor beggars who couldn't afford one because they can't work, because they've got all kinds of sicknesses and disease from having living near toxic waste dumps and working with chemicals. You had to buy food, vitamins and medicine but they are always so expensive because the corporations and companies hiked up the prices because they know they can get away with it. You couldn't see the sun anymore because either you lived in the bowels and sewers of the city, or the sky was completely choked in smog. You had to work a dead end job in some god-forsaken factory somewhere for jack-shit pay, with no hope of advancement, where the chemicals of the place would eventually kill you, just like it did with my dad. And finally, the gangs, which I have tried so hard to hide from and suppress when I was a cop, try to take everything away from you and once raped and killed my little sister. And no-one in the force can help you because they're either too scared or they're on the gangs pay roll or too busy sucking up to the corporations and life just seems to drag on until all you want to do is end it all with either a bottle of pills or a bullet to the head."
He took a deep breath. He never took his eyes off Jake.
"And then one day you get just one chance. You see an advertisement for skilled volunteers who want to sign up to go to The RDA's new colony on Pandora. You see that they are looking for ex-servicemen and especially policemen for the colonial militia. Your family is now all dead, and there's no reason to stay here. You go to the place where they are hiring and after waiting in the lines for hours on end, past all the hopefuls who wish to go there and you hand in your application. Then finally it happens. You get a new message. You've just been accepted and that I need to show up to the train depot soon to get to boot camp and training. Then when you've arrived the instructor asks you one last question. 'It's dangerous on Pandora. All sorts of things could kill you. Are you really sure that you want to go?'"
"And do you know what I said?" He asked Jake.
Jake was quiet.
"I said 'It can't be any more dangerous than life on Earth.'"
He moved up to Jake "We are not just talking about the Unobtainium here. There are millions of people back home, including me, who would risk everything that they had to get here. They are willing to die to stay here, in a land where they can breathe the air, walk through the jungle and hunt. A land where they can live as people should live. And as long as there is Unobtainium here that can be mined, or trees that can be cut down, or any kind of way to make a living here, they'll take it. Because this is a place where they can start a new life."
"We are not going to go away Jake. As long as there is Unobtainium here, or a new life, we will never leave you alone. So you'd better learn to get used to us." Then he went back to his partner and sat back down.
The atmosphere was palpable. There were many other Na'vi that could understand English, and those who could not were being quietly told about what Alex had said from the ones who could.
"Come with me." Jake commanded.
The two humans got back to their feet. They were then surrounded by Na'vi hunters. Jake said something in Na'vi to the new guards, who proceeded to guide them somewhere in the bowels of the Hometree. The crowd started to slowly disperse.
"Nice speech Churchill." Noh laconically smirked at Alex in his usual snarky fashion. "Maybe you'll feel 'oh so pious' after they attach our scalps to their spears."
"Oh shush, I had to make a point."
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Jake was back at his 'Quarters'. He was sitting down on the mats along with anyone in the tribe who had power. Beside was his mate Neytiri, his friend Norm, the now elderly Tsahik of the Omaticaya; Mo'at, and the Tsahik of the Kalisthaya tribe. As well as this, there were a couple of other men and women gathered around on the mats in front of him. This was the biggest thing since they found a new Hometree to live in. Miri was out playing with her friends. Jake knew that Neytiri would take her to the Tree of Voices tomorrow.
Jake felt a pang of sadness. I wish Grace was here.
Jake was referring to his old scientist-cum-boss-cum-mentor; Grace Augustine. She was the scientist at the head of the old avatar program, the human initiative to use Na'vi avatars to try to relate with the Na'vi natives. She knew more about the Na'vi and Pandora than any other human in the galaxy, hell, she was the first to actually come up with scientific evidence that the Worldmind existed in reality. She was also, for intents and purposes: dead. When they were escaping from Hells Gate, she took a bullet when Quaritch shot at them. They had tried to transfer her spirit to her avatar in order to save her life, but she didn't make it. Jake didn't forget what she said before she left.
"I saw her Jake... she's real... she's beautiful."
Jake missed her. She was hard on him at the start, but then she seemed to soften up to him as the weeks went by. She had backed Jake to the end when the Hometree was destroyed. It was gut wrenching for Jake just to see her die like that.
Jake rubbed his head. "OK then... lets figure out what to do with our guests here. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
"These people are dangerous chieftain. We can't trust them." Said Mu'kala resolutely.
Neytiri cocked her eye. "You're just saying that because one of them tripped you up." She smirked mischievously.
Mu'kala looked at her fiercely for a minute.
"Oh, shit... I'm sorry..." Neytiri whispered with genuine concern.
"Enough. Mo'at, What do you think we should do?"
Mo'at was the tribes Tsahik, or shaman. She was the one who understood the Worldmind better than anybody and had years of experience. Age was coming to her though, she needed a stick to move around now. And she did her best to impart her knowledge to her daughter Neytiri.
"I'm not so sure about these ones." "The man who had the courage to stand up to you may not be a leader or a great man, but he seems honest. I think that we can trust him, at least him." She gave a small smile. "He has the same spark of life, and bravery that you had when you came to us Jake."
Jake nodded. Norm swore that he saw him blush of all things. "Maybe... but just because one man is nice doesn't mean the rest of them are. Look at the RDA... I bet they haven't changed one bit..."
Norm spoke up. "That guy also mentioned something about the spaceships being faster."
"So?" queried Neytiri.
"It means that the journey from there to here has shortened." He said seriously. "The fact that it took six years to get here from Earth was one of our biggest defences. If it's shortened, then it becomes easier for the RDA to send stuff our way."
"Like what?"
"Like, reinforcements, supplies, and REALLY big guns."
Mu'kala shrugged. "We saw plenty of big guns in the last battle."
"Trust me friend." Jake said with the same seriousness of Norm. "You haven't even seen the Big Guns yet."
"Where are our guests now Chieftain?"
"Oh, they're cooling off under the eye of some of our warriors..."
"I say that you should kill them right now." Said a dark voice.
Everyone turned and stared at the Tsahik of the Kalisthaya tribe. She was about average height, but she seemed even bigger wearing a Mohawk of dreads. Her people had suffered when the humans came. Mercenaries sometimes took their frustrations out on her peoples land, their livestock and the people themselves. When they tried to retaliate, they were considered hostile to the RDA, and as such RDA mercs had shoot-to-kill orders. Many were killed. As a result, the Kalisthaya people resented it when they realised that some of the humans were staying, and there was outrage when they heard that the chieftain of the Omaticaya was an ex-human. Relations between them were strained, but reasonably peaceful. Sort-of, anyways.
"I really don't think that's a very wise or diplomatic solution to the problem Hesh'ka." Jake said with slow care. "For a start, the humans wouldn't like it."
"That doesn't matter." She said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Because after that, I suggest we marshal our forces and attack Hells Gate. Strike First."
"Strike first?!" Jake couldn't believe his ears.
"Yes. What was that your charming general once called it? Ah yes... a 'pre-emptive strike.'"
Jake had a problem on his hands. For a start, many were killed in the Battle for Pandora. Many Na'vi had died, and a new generation had only just reached maturity. His tribe could not afford to get in another war.
"Listen, I don't know what you are thinking right now, but we are not going to just kill them."
"Hmph... I thought as much." She muttered. "I wouldn't expect a human to do what is necessary..."
Jake started to lose his diplomatic cool. "I'd suggest you watch your fucking tongue when you're around here." He snapped. "As a guest of my tribe I'd think twice before saying that in front of my face."
"Well then I should warn you about what they are like. But you already do know huh? They are slow subtle people, always biding their time, slowly eating away at the land. The people on the land don't notice anything to bad, yet. Then the Sky-People make their move. The people then get eaten as well. In fact, they don't even know that until great beast has burped."
"Everyone stared.
"Just stating the facts."
"Leave. Now."
Hesh'ka got up. "Very well, then 'chieftain'. I'll go for now." She walked out in a casual fashion. "I just hope that you can wake up before they've eaten you and your people, 'Jake'." She left for her guest quarters.
Jake gritted his teeth.
"Jake, calm down." Neytiri calmly said holding his shoulder. "She's just trying to get under your skin."
"I know. I just... fffuu..."
Mo'at spoke to Jake. "Have you made your decision yet?"
There was a long pause.
"They're going to wonder where their men have gone. You weren't exactly subtle when you captured them Neytiri." Jake said with his originally serious tone. "For all we know, they're sending out a search party out to find them right now."
"But they don't know that we live here now." Neytiri defended herself. "It will take days to find us."
"True, but they could easily start at the Tree of Voices. We don't want them over there for now. So we're going to go and deliver our two guests safely back to Hells Gate in one piece."
Mu'kala started. "Wait chieftain, are you saying that we are going to where the humans are?"
"That's exactly what I said. Go back down to the others, and pick six hunters to go out with us. We'll ride out on Pa'li, the Sky-Peoples guns shoot down anything that flies."
"Won't they have guns down on the ground as well?"
"Almost definitely. However, I'm sure we can convince our guests to let us in without getting our heads blown off. We head out in the morning. Does anyone have anything else to say?"
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The two 'guests' in question were sitting down with their backs leaning against the great roots of the Hometree. They were escorted to a small 'hollow' where a root started to turn, creating a sort of curved wall, where they could be watched without to much trouble. Both Alex and Noh were watched by hunters, so when Alex asked to go to the toilet (no easy feat in itself) he had to be escorted to a bush by three of them at a time. He didn't know where his helmet was.
Humorously enough, when Alex zipped down his fly to pee, one of the Na'vi, a young woman, asked in an amazed voice "Whoa, you sky-people can do that with your pants?!"
Needless to say, this was on Alex's Top Ten Most Uncomfortable Scenarios.
When he got back, Noh was playing with pebbles. He was just throwing them at a small circle he had made in the dirt. A small meal was then served, consisting of some of Pandora's indigenous tropical fruit. They were hesitant at first to eat, but after Alex took a bite, most of it had disappeared into their stomachs.
They had just finished when a solitary figure caught Alex's eye. She was different from the other Na'vi. For a start, she had some sort of dreadlock mohawk, as well as red clothing and paint. She stood just beyond the guards, and she gave the humans what Alex thought was one of the meanest looks he had seen in his life. Then she left, just like that.
"What was that about?" Alex asked to no one in particular.
"That was Hesh'ka. Tsahik of the Kalisthaya tribe." Answered the young huntress. "She doesn't have much... what's the word you have? sympa... sinpa...."
"Sympathy?" Noh said, trying to be helpful.
"That's right... sympathy... She does not have much sympathy for you humans."
"You don't say..." Noh muttered.
"What my friend Shee'kana is trying to say," Cut in another guard "Is that hers goes a little deeper than what most of us around here feel about you."
"How so?" asked Alex.
"Her tribe suffered greatly when your kind came. And she lost both her husband and son."
"Oh..."
Alex thought back to the look the old woman had given them. It just seemed to be filled with anger, filled with... hatred. Pure, enraged hatred. It scared the hell out of him.
So much, he didn't go to sleep until much later.
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Jake and Neytiri were playing with Miri. It was getting late, so soon they would tell her to go to sleep. Then (as all young children do) she asked a question.
"Mum, dad? Who were the two small men that came here?"
Both Jake and Neytiri looked at each other. Jake took the lead. Best to be honest.
"Those two were Sky-People. Miri."
"Are they bad people?"
Good question.
"Not all of them are bad." Neytiri said simply. "Some of them have helped us past."
"With what?"
"There were some bad people who tried to harm our people." Jake started "Some of them were the ones who destroyed the Hometree, just before you were born. Some of the Sky People saved us from the bad people."
"But weren't the Sky People the ones who destroyed the Hometree in the beginning Daddy?"
Jake sighed. "Yep... they were the ones who did it."
"Then doesn't that make all of the Sky People bad people then?"
"No!" Jake said a little louder than he would have liked. Miri seemed to shy away a little. Neytiri gave Jake a Look. "Sorry, it's just..."
He sighed "Listen, you can't just assume that everyone in a tribe or of a people is either bad or good. Some of the people will be good, other people..."
"Not good?"
"That's right." Smiled Neytiri. "This means that those two Sky People could either be good or bad. You have to get to know them, by say... talking to them, in order to find out for yourself."
"So I need to know them... by talking to them?"
"That's my girl." Jake brightened. "It's getting late though...I think you should be getting to sleep now. Remember, tomorrows the day when you first visit the Tree of Voices!"
"Aww daddy..." Miri groaned. "Can you tell me a bed time story?"
"Hmm? Jake I think it's your turn tonight." She gave a yawn, and gave a mischievous smile. "See you soon." And with that, she bounced towards her hammock.
"Well then little mite.... what do you want to hear tonight?" Jake grinned.
"Tell me a scary story!"
"A scary story! Oooh somebody wants to be frightened!" Jake was always surprised that Miri liked the odd ghost story. She seemed to like them as much as the other types, but unlike other kids, she seemed to steel herself past them. Neytiri was always concerned about it, but she seemed to accept them.
"Alrighty then. Sit down, sit down." He thought for a moment.
"Once upon a time, there was a very proud Na'vi. He boasted that he could hunt and kill anything, from the smallest viperwolves, to the mightiest Palalukan. He was certainly capable of it. And he did kill many of these creatures. But few people liked him. Whenever another hunter came in with a worthy kill, the Proud One would just say that it does not compare with his other kills. And whenever he came back from a hunting party with other Na'vi, he would so that all the work was done by him alone, even when this was not the case. This caused him to be greatly resented among the tribe."
"One day the people were terrorized by a great, Beast of a Palalukan. What the Sky people call a Thanaptor. People were both scared and cautious. They reasoned that they should send out a large hunting party to try to kill it without too much danger. But the Proud One boasted that he could kill the Beast all by himself, and then eat it for dinner. Before the party had set off, he went and stalked the Beast by himself. He then created a large trap for it to fall into, where he would spear it himself."
"Did he do it daddy?"
"Yes. He succeeded to killing the great Beast. After that, he cut the creature up, and since he was proud and selfish, he ate the prime cuts himself that evening. Before he went to bed, he felt a strange feeling in his stomach, but he assumed that nothing was wrong and bed down for the night."
"What happened then?"
"Well, the hunting tried to find him, but they could not. He was nowhere to be found. They searched for over two nights, not because they liked him, but because since they could not find the Beast anywhere, they assumed that he must have succeeded. They did manage to find his camp, where they found his tools, and the other cuts of meat, but the Proud One was nowhere."
"What happened to him?"
"They found out on the third day. That evening, a woman went to a tree to gather a fruit to make a gourd, when she saw a Na'vi man behaving strangely. As she went to see who he was, she realised that not only was it the Proud One, but he was hunched over, stumbling around, and making strange, animal noises. When she asked if he was alright, it happened."
"What happened?" Miri was biting her fingernail in the tension.
"As soon as she asked if he was alright. The Proud One's suddenly shook, and suddenly!" Jake flourished, reaching the climax. "A great Palalukan tore itself out of the skin of the Proud One. Despite being much bigger than the Na'vi hunter, it was now as big as it used to be."
"U-used to be?"
"Yes, for it bore the same markings as the Beast. But instead of devouring the woman, It ran off into the forest, leaving the terrified woman running for help."
"What happened then?"
"She managed to get to her home, where she cried in fear to the others over what she saw. Although no one believed her, they sent a hunting party to check."
Jake started to give an evil smile. "It turned out, when the Proud one had eaten the Beast himself, it had somehow reformed in his belly. It then started to devour, consume the Proud one from the inside, over two days and two nights. Eventually all there was of the Proud one, was a beast held in by skin."
"That's all the Hunting party ever found. They never saw the Beast again, but they did find the Proud one. All that remained of him was skin, lying on the forest floor. Nothing else but skin and Beast."
Miri was staring at Jake. Probing him to see if there was anything else.
"And thats my story. You need to go to sleep now. You got a big day tomorrow."
"Okay daddy."
"Hey..." he said in a reassuring manner. "It's okay. It's just a story."
